Attached is the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) that we have prepared for the above cited Premarket Notification. When this notification becomes effective, the EA and FONSI should be made available to the public. Please let us know if there is any change in the identity or use of the food-contact substance that would be inconsistent with the identity and use described in the FONSI.

Hardy J. Chou, Ph.D.

Environmental Assessment for FCN No. 000010

1. Description of the Proposed Action

The proposed action is to provide for the use of pyromellitic dianhydride as a modifier of ethylene terephthalate copolymer up to 0.5 percent by weight of the finished copolymer and under limited use conditions, specifically, conditions of use A through D as described in Table 2 of 21 CFR 176.170(c) and microwaveable. This action was originally requested by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd. in Food Additive Petition (FAP) 8B4582, as announced in the Federal Register on February 9, 1998 [63 FR 6571]. The notice of filing contained the agency's decision that approval of the petition would qualify for a categorical exclusion under 21 CFR 25.32(i). This exclusion is for actions for substances present in food-packaging material at not greater than 5 percent-by-weight and that are expected to remain with finished food-packaging material through use by consumers or when the substance is a component of a coating of a finished food-packaging material.

The Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act (FDAMA) of 1997 (Pub. L. 105-115) amended section 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act) to establish a premarket notification (PMN) process as the primary method for authorizing a new use of a food additive that is a food contact substance. Section 409(h)(6) of the act defines a food contact substance as any substance intended for use as a component of materials used in manufacturing, packing, packaging, transporting, or holding food if such use is not intended to have any technical effect in such food. Under the premarket notification process, a PMN becomes effective 120 days after the date of receipt by FDA, unless FDA determines that, based on the data and information before the agency, the use of the substance is not safe and FDA objects to such notification within the 120-day period. If FDA does not object within 120 days to the use of a food contact substance that is the subject of a PMN, the substance may be legally marketed for the notified use.

In a letter dated October 26, 1999, the Agency told petitioners and requesters who had pending food additive petitions or threshold of regulation (TOR) exemption requests involving the use of a food contact substance, that the petitioned or requested action might be eligible for premarket notification under section 409(h) of the FFDCA. The sponsors were told that they could consider withdrawing the petition or TOR request and resubmitting it as a PMN. The petitioner's representative submitted a letter, dated November 29, 1999, requesting that FAP 8B4582 be converted to a PMN.

The types of substances and the uses of such substances under the categorical exclusion in 21 CFR 25.32(i) are the same whether a sponsor submits a food additive petition, a request for exemption from regulation as a food additive under 21 CFR 170.39, or a PMN. However, a categorical exclusion for allowing a PMN to become effective is not currently one of the enumerated types of actions listed in 25.32(i). Therefore, this Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared for the subject notification.

2. Environmental Consequences of the Proposed Action

This action involves a food contact substance that is a minor component of finished food-packaging material (<5 percent by weight of the finished packaging material) that remains with the packaging through use by consumers. FDA has found that the very small quantities of substances that could potentially enter the environment from this type of use are highly unlikely to have a significant effect on the environment (61 FR 19476 at 19481-19482, May 1, 1996). The basis for FDA's decision to establish the categorical exclusion in 25.32(i) for food additive petitions is the same basis that would be applicable to PMNs. Therefore, FDA's experience with the food additive petitions that it reviewed to support a categorical exclusion for such actions is relevant to PMNs. These additives ordinarily have limited potential for causing any significant environmental effects as a result of their use and disposal. The principal route for potential environmental introduction of the types of substances included under 25.32(i), whether in a food additive petition or in a PMN, results from their disposal after use. These routes of disposal are governed by the regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 40 CFR part 60 (combustors) and part 258 (landfills). Based on the low levels of use of these substances in packaging materials, the introduction of combustion products or introductions at landfill sites are not environmentally significant. The petitioner states that the proposed maximum level of the additive in the polymer is present in the finished food-packaging material at not greater than 5 percent-by-weight and is expected to substantially remain with the finished food-packaging material through use by consumers. Because of the nature of this type of action, we do not expect that any limited increase in environmental introductions resulting from this proposed action will threaten a violation of EPA's regulations governing combustors and landfills or have any other adverse environmental effects.

In the claim of categorical exclusion in FAP 8B4582, the petitioner certified that no extraordinary circumstances were expected that would cause adverse effects on human health or the environment as a result of the use of pyromellitic dianhydride as a modifier, as proposed. We do not believe that the conversion of this petition to a PMN would alter the fact that no extraordinary circumstances are likely to occur as a result of this action.

3. Alternatives to the Proposed Action

Alternatives to the proposed action need not be considered, because no potential adverse environmental effects have been identified.

Finding of No Significant Impact

A Premarket Notification (FCN No. 000010), submitted by Sekisiu Plastics, Co. Ltd., to provide for the safe use of pyromellitic dianhydride as a modifier of ethylene terephthalate copolymer up to 0.5 percent by weight of the finished copolymer and under limited use conditions, specifically, conditions of use A through D as described in Table 2 of 21 CFR §176.170(c) and microwaveable use.

The Environmental Review Team has determined that allowing this notification to become effective will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and therefore will not require the preparation of an environmental impact statement. This finding is based on an environmental assessment prepared by a scientist on the Environmental Review Team.